Researchers studied 108 medical students to understand why some experience stomach discomfort, bloating, and nausea. They found that about 61% of students had these digestive problems, and students with irregular eating habits and certain trigger foods were significantly more likely to experience them. The study suggests that the way students eat—not just what they eat—plays an important role in stomach health. This research highlights how eating patterns during busy school years might affect digestive comfort, offering students practical insights into managing their stomach issues through better eating habits.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether irregular eating habits and certain foods cause stomach discomfort and digestive problems in college students
  • Who participated: 108 first-year medical students (average age 18) at a university in Indonesia, with 70% being female
  • Key finding: Students with irregular eating patterns and problematic food choices were significantly more likely to experience stomach discomfort, bloating, nausea, and belching (the connection was very strong, with a p-value less than 0.001)
  • What it means for you: If you’re a student experiencing stomach problems, your eating schedule and food choices may be contributing factors. Making changes to eat more regularly and avoid trigger foods could help reduce symptoms, though individual results vary

The Research Details

Researchers used a cross-sectional study design, which means they looked at a group of students at one point in time to see who had stomach problems and what their eating habits were like. They recruited 108 medical students using sequential sampling, which means they enrolled students in the order they were available. The students answered questions about their eating patterns and whether they experienced symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, nausea, or vomiting.

The researchers then used statistical tests (Chi-square analysis) to determine whether students with poor eating habits were more likely to have stomach problems than those with better eating habits. This type of study is useful for identifying connections between habits and health problems, though it cannot prove that one directly causes the other.

This research approach is important because it captures real-world eating patterns in students during their actual daily lives, rather than in a controlled laboratory setting. By studying medical students specifically, researchers could examine a group likely to experience stress and irregular schedules that might affect eating habits. The cross-sectional design allows researchers to quickly identify patterns that might warrant further investigation.

This study has several strengths: it used a reasonable sample size (108 students), employed statistical testing to verify findings, and focused on a specific, defined population. However, readers should know that because this is a cross-sectional study, it shows correlation (connection) rather than causation (proof that eating habits cause the problems). The study was conducted at one university in Indonesia, so results may not apply equally to all student populations worldwide. Additionally, the study relied on students self-reporting their symptoms and eating habits, which can be subject to memory errors or bias.

What the Results Show

The study found that 61.1% of the 108 students (about 66 students) experienced dyspepsia syndrome—a condition involving stomach discomfort, bloating, belching, nausea, or vomiting. Among these students, 76% were female. The most striking finding was the strong statistical relationship between eating habits and stomach problems: students with irregular eating patterns and those who frequently consumed trigger foods were significantly more likely to experience these digestive symptoms.

The statistical analysis showed this connection was very strong (p-value < 0.001), meaning there’s less than a 0.1% chance this relationship occurred by random chance. In practical terms, this suggests that eating habits are genuinely associated with whether students experience stomach discomfort. The majority of affected students were 18 years old, representing the typical age of first-year university students.

The research identified that irregular eating patterns—such as skipping meals, eating at inconsistent times, or eating too quickly—were particularly problematic. Additionally, certain foods appeared to trigger or worsen symptoms more than others, though the paper doesn’t specify which foods were most problematic. The high prevalence of symptoms in this student population (61.1%) suggests that stomach discomfort is a common issue affecting more than half of these young adults, indicating this is a significant health concern for students.

This research aligns with existing knowledge that dyspepsia (indigestion and stomach discomfort) affects a large portion of the global population. The World Health Organization reported that 13-40% of people worldwide experience dyspepsia annually, and it ranks among the top 10 non-communicable diseases in Indonesia. This study’s finding that 61% of students experience these symptoms is notably higher than the general population rate, suggesting that students may be at particular risk—possibly due to stress, irregular schedules, and poor eating habits associated with academic life.

This study has important limitations to consider. First, it only included students from one university in Indonesia, so findings may not apply to students in other countries or different educational settings. Second, the study design (cross-sectional) shows that eating habits and stomach problems are connected, but cannot prove that poor eating habits actually cause the problems—other factors could be involved. Third, the study relied on students’ own reports of their symptoms and eating habits, which can be inaccurate due to memory problems or bias. Finally, the study didn’t measure other potential contributing factors like stress levels, sleep quality, or underlying medical conditions that might also affect stomach health.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a student experiencing stomach discomfort, bloating, or nausea, consider evaluating your eating habits. Try to: eat meals at consistent times each day, avoid skipping meals, eat slowly and chew food thoroughly, and identify which specific foods trigger your symptoms. Keep a simple food and symptom diary for one to two weeks to identify patterns. If symptoms persist despite dietary changes, consult a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions. These recommendations are based on moderate evidence from this study and should be combined with professional medical advice.

This research is most relevant to college and university students, particularly those experiencing stomach discomfort, bloating, nausea, or frequent belching. It’s especially important for students with busy, irregular schedules who may be skipping meals or eating inconsistently. Healthcare providers working with student populations should also pay attention to this research. However, this study doesn’t necessarily apply to non-student populations, older adults, or people with diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders, who may need different approaches.

If you make changes to your eating habits, you might notice improvements in stomach comfort within one to two weeks, though some people may see benefits sooner. Establishing consistent eating patterns typically takes 3-4 weeks to become a habit. However, if symptoms don’t improve after 2-3 weeks of dietary changes, or if they worsen, consult a healthcare provider as other medical conditions may be involved.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track meal timing and consistency: Log the time you eat each meal/snack and note whether you ate at roughly the same time each day. Also record any stomach symptoms (bloating, discomfort, nausea) and which foods you ate before symptoms appeared. Aim for 3 meals plus 1-2 snacks at consistent times daily.
  • Set phone reminders for regular meal times (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack times) to help establish eating consistency. Use the app to plan meals in advance and identify personal trigger foods by reviewing the correlation between what you ate and when symptoms occurred. Create a ‘safe foods’ list of items that don’t trigger symptoms.
  • Weekly review: Each Sunday, check your meal consistency score (percentage of meals eaten at consistent times) and symptom frequency (number of days with symptoms). Track this over 4 weeks to identify whether improved eating consistency correlates with fewer symptoms. Use trend charts to visualize improvements and maintain motivation for dietary changes.

This research suggests an association between eating habits and stomach discomfort in students but does not prove causation. Individual results vary significantly. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. If you experience persistent stomach pain, vomiting, or severe symptoms, consult a healthcare provider to rule out serious medical conditions. People with diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders should work with their healthcare provider before making dietary changes. This study was conducted in Indonesia and may not apply equally to all populations.